What started as a routine rideshare encounter in downtown Orlando turned violent Monday morning when a driver was stabbed after refusing to give a ride that was not booked through the app, according to police.
Officers were called to the area of East Marks Street and Kenilworth Terrace, where they learned a rideshare driver had been stabbed following an argument over providing a ride without an official request through the platform, police said. The suspect ran off but did not get far. Orlando Police said he was tracked down inside a nearby restaurant and arrested a short time later.
Authorities identified the suspect as Jovaughn Nathan Matthie. He is facing attempted murder charges, according to Orlando Police.
This morning, officers responded to the area of East Marks Street and Kenilworth Terrace after receiving reports of a stabbing.
— Orlando Police (@OrlandoPolice) July 20, 2026
Officers learned that a suspect stabbed an rideshare driver who refused to provide a ride without a request through the rideshare app.
Following the… pic.twitter.com/DUkILTha2y
Police account and arrest
According to Orlando Police, officers arrived to find that a rideshare driver had been stabbed after refusing to provide a trip that was not requested through the rideshare app. Investigators say the suspect took off from the scene, sparking a brief search in the surrounding area.
Police say officers eventually found the suspect inside a nearby restaurant, where he was taken into custody without further incident. The department identified him as Jovaughn Nathan Matthie and said he is facing attempted murder charges.
"We are unable to provide additional information to protect the integrity of the investigation," the department added in its social media post, indicating that more details will have to wait until detectives are ready to go public.
Rideshare safety and similar attacks
Violence against rideshare and livery drivers is not unique to Orlando. Across the country, drivers for services such as Uber and Lyft have reported assaults tied to disputes over pickups, drop-offs, or payment, fueling ongoing concerns about worker safety.
For context, a 2023 livery-driver stabbing in Manhattan was reported by ABC7 New York, and a March 2026 case in Delaware was covered by CBS Philadelphia. Those incidents highlight how quickly tense exchanges between drivers and passengers can escalate when expectations or rules around app-based trips are not followed.
Legal status and records
Orlando Police say Matthie is facing attempted murder charges, although court and booking records were not immediately available. The city’s public records portal explains how to request incident reports, body-worn camera footage and other related documents, which often become public only after formal charges are filed or paperwork is processed, according to the city’s records guidance.
Investigators are still developing the case, and Orlando Police say they plan to release additional information when it will not interfere with the investigation. This story will be updated as charging documents, booking details, and court dates are posted and made available through official channels.
